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U.S. citizens and LPRs can sponsor relatives for permanent residency by filing Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relatives. This is the initial step in sponsoring someone for the legal immigration system to the U.S. As part of the petitioning process, an LPR or U.S. citizen must provide proof of their relationship to their loved one, such as a marriage license or birth certificate. Once your Form I-130 is approved, there are the following steps to follow.
Form I-130: Essential for Spouse Immigration to the U.S.
Form I-130 is an important part of the process for a permanent resident or U.S. citizen to bring their foreign-born spouse to the United States. This form shows that there is a valid relationship between the person applying ( green card holder or a U.S. citizen) and their foreign-born spouse.
Once the Form I-130 is approved, your spouse can then apply for a visa or for permission to stay in the United States, depending on where you are. This form is highly important for bringing families together and making sure that spouses can live together in the United States, but it’s highly important to give the right information and documents to avoid any problems or delays with the immigration process.
What Happens After I-130 Approval?
When USCIS approves your sponsorship petition, it will forward it to the National Visa Center (NVC). Depending on your immigrant category and how much time has passed since you filed your I-130, NVC may issue you and your beneficiary a support fee bill with additional information about how to proceed.
Expedite Your Spouse’s Immigration Process
Unlike most categories, immediate relatives, especially spouses, have an unlimited supply of visas available. This means that once an I-130 application has been approved, an approved beneficiary receives their visa immediately.
However, most other categories require a waiting period, as the U.S. government issues only a limited number of immigrant visas yearly. A person’s priority date determines their place in line for receiving their green card.
We are offering citizenship and immigration services that can assist families by gathering all required documentation before filing Form I-130. Our team of experts is on hand to answer your questions and guide the process along its entirety.
National Visa Center (NVC) Processing
The National Visa Center will invoice and collect fees and documents before scheduling your visa interview. Depending on which green card category is being pursued—consular processing versus adjustment of status processing—processing times can differ significantly. Those applying from outside the U.S. undergo consular processing, while those seeking it within it undergo adjustment of status processing.
Your NVC will arrange a visa interview at one of the United States consulates or embassies after you undergo a medical examination approved by that embassy. Some embassies require results to be sent directly, while others will provide sealed envelopes for you to bring to your interview appointment.
Becoming Green Card Holders
A Green Card grants lawful permanent residence and employment authorization within the U.S. You can present it as proof of identity and employment eligibility to employers when required to complete Form I-9. Additionally, it can help you apply for a Social Security number; however, you won’t become an American citizen or get a lawful permanent resident status until you receive your naturalization certificate.
Once a petition is approved, it’s sent to the National Visa Center (NVC). Here, they’ll make sure all required paperwork and fees have been submitted and paid before forwarding it to an American consulate or embassy abroad—typically six to eight weeks after their arrival at NVC.
